The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) is seeking an Animal Care Manager who plans, organizes, and directs the day-to-day activities of AAWL’s shelter animal care team. The Animal Care Manager is responsible for recruiting , hiring, training, coaching, and supervising the animal care team to ensure that animals in our care receive the highest quality, daily care. In addition, the Animal Care Manager is responsible for participating in budget development, monitoring, and meeting departmental goals, ensuring quality control and accurate record keeping and tracking.  This position requires actively working as an animal care tech on occasion. The Animal Care Manager must be knowledgeable of the approved protocols for feline, canine and medical isolation animal care as well as foster animals returned to the shelter and be able to clearly convey that information to staff and volunteers.  

The Animal Care Manager reports to the Director of Operations and works full-time. AAWL’s animal care team works shifts between 6am and 7pm, 365 days a year. To effectively manage the animal care team, it may be necessary to work a varied shift and varying days. The Animal Care Manager sets the schedule for themselves and the entire animal care team under the general supervision of the Director of Operations  

Responsibilities

• Manage, supervise and develop animal care team to meet organizational goals; 

• Monitor animal population and ACT activity and deploy staff or assist as/where needed; 

• Provide quality animal care in a compassionate, professional manner; ensure staff does as well; 

• Resolve animal care-related questions/issues within the team and across departments, escalate to Director of Operations as necessary; 

• Oversee weekly supplies inventory, ordering, inventory management for non-medical supplies;  

• Advocate for the animals in our care by flagging non-standard behavior/issues/appearance for review by medical or behavior team; bringing to Director of Operations/Medical Director attention any animal that is declining in behavior or appearance. 

• Continually seek out opportunities for process improvements within the Animal CareDepartment and ensure Standard Operating Procedures reflect industry best practices; 

• Ensure shelter management software is up to date on a regular basis; 

• Act as Manager on Duty as needed;  

• Plan and conduct regular animal care meetings; 

• Function as a collaborative member and leader of the AAWL team, work in a positive manner with volunteers, donors, customers, and staff, recognizing their individual contribution to the success of our organization. 

Qualifications

• 3 years of work experience in an animal care environment, including low stress handling experience with dogs and cats preferred.  

• 1 year as a lead or manager of a team required.   

• Strong interpersonal skills are required, including the ability to resolve conflicts between staff and volunteers.  

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office software. Basic understanding of PetPoint shelter management software is a plus.  

• Ability to manage priorities and workflow.  

Requirements

Requires periodic sitting at a computer station with prolonged standing and walking. Use of personal computer, phone, and general office equipment. Must be comfortable handling dogs and cats daily on a continuous basis. Will be exposed to disinfectant solutions and subject to bites and scratches while handling animals of questionable temperament. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with animals, the public, volunteers, and staff. Also requires flexibility to readily adapt to a fast-paced changing environment and the ability to work weekends and holidays.  

To Apply for This Position

Please submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references including their email, phone, and relationship to jmccabe@aawl.org. In your subject line please reference “Animal Care Manager”. No phone calls or walk-ins, please. 

Employment Details

The salary range for this position is $41,400 - $62,200 DOE. Benefits include employer-paid medical insurance, paid vacation/sick time off, and twelve paid holidays, dental and vision insurance available. Additionally, we offer continuing education and management training opportunities on how to resolve conflicts, implement new ideas and take/receive feedback.